Citizens’ Group Fights La Parota

(Acapulco, JG 30 October) The spokesman for CECOP (Council of Public Lands and Communities in Opposition to La Parota), a citizens’ group opposed to the La Parota hydroelectric project to be built near Acapulco, responded to yesterday’s press reports that the three candidates for governor approved of the dam. “The candidates are not the ones who decide if it happens or not,” said Felipe Flores Hernández. And he is correct. But neither CECOP nor the communities in the flood plain have a veto over the project, either. Flores Hernández reported that the group met with federal representative (deputy) Alejandro Encinas Rodgríguez (PRD-Gro) to seek his support in torpedoing the budget approvals for the La Parota project in the national legislature. The Federal Electric Power Commission (CFE) and the Mexican Congress have the authority to determine how, when and whether the project goes forward. It appears that these decisions have already been taken, and the initial construction contracts will be awarded in 2011.